Gift Card Scam In Newtown Township: Recent Police Activity

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Township Police Department reported the following arrests and incidents between Nov. 6 and Nov. 12:

November 9, 2020

Police were contacted by a Conover Place resident who reported an attempted theft that occurred overnight on Nov. 7, 2020. The resident explained that he found his car door open and it appeared that someone had rifled through it. No items were found to be missing. The vehicle was unlocked and parked in the resident’s driveway at the time.

A Newtown Township resident contacted police to report fraud. He explained that he received an email that appeared to be from his pastor and his church. The email instructed the resident to purchase $3,300 in gift cards. After the resident purchased the gift cards and provided the emailer with the card information, he spoke to his pastor and realized that the email was fraudulent and did not come from the church. Police warn that scammers can send emails posing as friends, family, and known associates, in an attempt to defraud you. Contact police if you have suffered a loss or shared personal information as a result of a scam.

A resident contacted police to say that her email account was hacked and people on her contact list were now receiving fraudulent emails. Police advised the resident to change her email and passwords and to advise the people on her contact list of the issue.

November 10, 2020

Around 6:30 p.m., police responded to Acme Markets on West Road for a report of a theft. The victim stated that while she was shopping, her wallet was stolen out of her purse. She found out about the theft when her bank notified her of fraudulent purchases on her account. The total value of loss was around $1,200.

November 11, 2020

At around 7:30 p.m., Newtown police were contacted by a male driver who reported striking a pedestrian on Swamp Road. The man and another passing driver rendered aid to the pedestrian, who was not injured and refused medical treatment.